The Federal Government has officially launched a major initiative to boost technical skills among Nigerian youth by opening applications for fully-funded admission into Federal Technical Colleges across the country.
Free Tuition and Stipends for Eligible Students
In a significant move to promote skills development, the Minister of Education, Prof. Tunji Alausa, announced that education in these colleges will be completely free for admitted students. This initiative is a core part of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration's commitment to human capital development. Furthermore, the government has reinstated a monthly stipend of N45,000 for students enrolled in these technical colleges, aimed at supporting them and revitalizing the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) sector.
The announcement was made public by the ministry's spokesperson, Folasade Boriowo, in an official statement released on Monday, January 19, 2026. The program is specifically targeted at Nigerian youth between the ages of 13 and 20 years.
Application Timeline and Examination Details
Prospective candidates and their guardians must act within a specified window. The registration portal for the National Common Entrance Examination (NCEE) will be open from Monday, January 26, 2026, until Sunday, May 24, 2026.
The nationwide entrance examination itself is scheduled to hold on Saturday, June 6, 2026. All applications must be submitted exclusively through the official online portal of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board (NABTEB) at https://student.nabteb.gov.ng.
Government Issues Strict Warning Against Illegal Fees
Minister Alausa emphasized the government's directive to abolish all tuition and approved charges in Federal Science and Technical Colleges. He issued a stern warning to principals and college administrators against collecting any unauthorized fees from parents or guardians.
Students will only be required to provide personal boarding items, as stated in the policy. The Ministry has set up monitoring teams to ensure full compliance with the free education directive across all institutions.
Parents and prospective applicants are strongly advised to obtain information only from the official channels of the Federal Ministry of Education and the designated examination bodies to avoid misinformation.
